Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner Versus PCA Skin Hydrating Toner Spray
Updated on November 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner 48 ingredients
PCA Skin Hydrating Toner Spray 21 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner 48 ingredients
PCA Skin Hydrating Toner Spray 21 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Winterianus Herb Oil
Perfuming
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Hedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningParietaria Officinalis Extract
EmollientSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenylalanine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Sodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-4
Aspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ricinoleth-40
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Arginine, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Cymbopogon Winterianus Herb Oil, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Parietaria Officinalis Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-4, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Ricinoleth-40, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Geraniol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propanediol
SolventCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium Lactate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Oenothera Biennis Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium Lactate, Disodium EDTA, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Carrageenan, Jania Rubens Extract, Ascorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCASodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner 48 ingredients
PCA Skin Hydrating Toner Spray 21 ingredients
